Roller massaging device with means for spraying water between the rollers



Dec. 20, 1966 R. P. FLEMING 3,292,614

ROLLER MASSAGING DEVICE WITH MEANS FOR SPRAYING WATER BETWEEN THE ROLLERS Filed March 30, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WC/749,60 R FZEM/A/G,

ATTORNEYS Dec. 20, 1966 R. P. FLEMING 3,292,614

ROLLER MASSAGING DEVICE WITH MEANS FOR SPRAYING WATER BETWEEN THE ROLLERS Filed March so, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYE United States Patent 3,292,614 ROLLER MASSAGING DEVICE WITH MEANS FOR SPRAYING WATER BETWEEN THE ROLLERS Richard P. Fleming, 12400 Flack St., Wheaten, Md. 20902 Filed Mar. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 355,732 Claims. (Cl. 128-57) This invention relates to a hydro-mechanical body massager and more particularly to a roller and spray type foot exerciser and stimulator. Although other usages and applications Will be apparent from the following description, the principal function is in massaging the feet.

Past experience has shown that the physical well-being of a person is directly aifected by the general condition of the feet. This is particularly true of those persons who must stand for extended periods of time, often with little or no actual exercise of the muscles of the feet. As a result, the muscles often become tired and stiff by virtue of restricted blood flow through this area of the body. In addition, tight or binding shoes or improperly fitting shoes also restrict the proper circulation of the blood throughout the feet. Relief from this most bothersome condition can be'obtained by massaging the affected portions of the feet to increase the flow of blood and to stimulate circulation.

Massage of the feet has heretofore been accomplished by various dry roller-type arrangements some of which were motor driven. Other foot stimulators have been in the form of simple electric vibrators or else a vibrator in combination with a tub for holding water. These devices, however, do not utilize the massaging effect of water under pressure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a unit for treating both feet simultaneously with a massaging and kneading action from rollers combined with the additional stimulative and tonic eifect of needlelike jets of water ejected under pressure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unit for the dry massage and exercise of the feet.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a unit for soaking the feet while massaging them with needle-like jets of water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a massage unit which may be used in the home in an ordinary bathtub.

Another object is to provide a unit for the exercise and orthopedic rehabilitation of impaired feet.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient massage unit which is portable, easy to operate and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate like parts:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the message unit showing the general structure of an embodiment;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-section along section lines 22 I of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-section along section lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-section along section lines 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is similar to FIGURE 4 with the rollers in an alternate position; 7

FIGURE 6 is a top View of the device as shown in FIGURE 5.

Referring now to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment will be seen to comprise a hollow base 10 haw'ng two elongate recessed portions 11 each fitted with frame 12 carrying rotatably mounted rollers 13. Frames 12 "ice rest in recessed portions 11 and are attached to base 10 by means of swinging links 16 (FIGURES 4-6) pivotally mounted at either end of frames 12. The base 10 also has a main orifice 14 which serves as a fluid inlet and plurality of small regularly spaced fluid outlets 15 along the lowermost part of recesses 11. The threaded portion of orifice 14 can be used to attach one end of a hose (not shown) to the unit. The other end of the hose would then be connected to an ordinary household water tap. The water which enters orifice 14 will fill the interior of hollow base 10 until it will hold no more fluid. At such time the fluid, in order to escape, will be forceably ejected through the small outlets 15.

The most convenient manner of utilizing the present invention is to place the unit in the bottom of a bathtub and connect a hose between the faucet and orifice 14. This type of arrangement allows the user to sit on the edge of the bathtub while manipulating the rollers with his feet. In addition, this arrangement allows the user to conveniently adjust the temperature and flow rate of the water. This arrangement further provides an efiicient and readily available means of containing and draining off the water used in massaging. When the user has finished using the massager, the unit may be emptied for storage by removing the hose and pouring any remaining water out of orifice 14.

One method of using the message unit is with the frame 12 and rollers 13 in the position shown in FIGURE 1. As seen in FIGURES 3 and 6, the pinhole outlets 15 are spaced in a staggered relationship with the rollers 13. Thus, the water that is ejected from outlets 15 is directed between the rollers. As the foot is moved across the rollers 13 in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the rollers, the skin is drawn taut as it passes over each one of the rollers 13. The skin of the foot immediately forward (in the direction of movement of the foot) of each roller is pelted with many needle-like jets of water emanating from outlets 15. This water massage of the skin while drawn taut greatly increases blood circulation and gives a stinrulative effect.

A second method of using the massage unit is as shown in FIGURES 5 and 6. The frame 12 holding roller 13 is swung up and out of recessed portion 11 until the bottom of frarne 12 comes to rest upon the fiat deck portion 19 of the top of base 10. A swinging link 16 is connected to either end of frame 12 by means of pivot 17. The other end of swinging link 16 is connected to base 10 by means of pivot 18.

With the frame 12 and rollers 13 in the position shown in FIGURES 5 and 6, the user can soak his feet in the water filling recessed portions 11 while subjecting them to the invigorating effect of the needle-like jets of water being ejected from outlets 15. After soaking, the feet are then moved back and forth across rollers 13 which are held in place by swinging links 16. This soaking of the feet softens the thick tissue on the bottom of the feet and thus makes them more susceptible to the stimulating and tonic effects of the roller massage.

Another embodiment (not shown) would provide a larger deck portion 19 by making the whole apparatus somewhat wider. The larger or Wider deck portion 19 would give increased stability to frame 12 when resting thereon. This embodiment would, of course, be somewhat more bulky than the embodiment shown.

This device is understood to be used also without the water massage or with only the water massage, and although the invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is further understood that the present form of my invention as herein shown and described is only by way of a preferred example, and that various changes in shape, size and arrangement may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What I claim and desire to be secured by Letters Patent 1. A massage unit comprising a hollow vessel having means defining a fluid inlet, at least one recessed portion an innermost surface of which defines a plurality of fluid outlets, a movable frame fitting within said recessed portion, and a plurality of spaced mess-age rollers rotatably mounted on said frame at a level higher than said outlets.

2. A massage unit as claimed in claim 1 having connecting means between said frame and said vessel so as to allow displacement of said frame from said recessed portion.

3. A massage unit comprising a hollow vessel, means defining a fluid inlet, at least one recessed portion the innermost surface of which defines a plurality of spaced fluid outlets, a movable frame fitting within said recessed portion, and a plurality of spaced massage rollers rotatably mounted on said frame such that said rollers are at a level higher than said outlets and are spaced alternativefluid inlet for feeding fluid under pressure into the base, at least one rectangular recess in the upper portion of said base, said recess having an innermost surface defining a plurality of regularly spaced fluid jet outlets, a frame fitting within said recess, a plurality of tapered massage rollers mounted in axial alignment andtransversely on said frame for rotary movement about the longitudinal axes of said rollers, said rollers having the largest diameter at the midseetion and said rollers being spaced in a staggered relationship with said jet outlets such that the fluid ejected from the jet outlets is directed upwardly between said rollers, and a pivotally attached swinging link at either end of said frame connecting said frame to said base, whereby the frame with the rollers may be ly with said outlets such that the fluid ejected from said swung upwardly and laterally out of said recess to enable selective foot massage while the frame is in the recess or outside thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 927,125 7/ 1909 Davis 128-65 1,060,236 4/1913 Dodge 4-182 1,715,043 5/1929 Oye 4182 2,025,936 12/1935 Clearman 4182 X RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

L. W. TRAPP, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A MASSAGE UNIT COMPRISING A HOLLOW VESSEL HAVING MEANS DEFINING A FLUID INLET, AT LEAST ONE RECESSED PORTION AN INNERMOST SURFACE OF WHICH DEFINES A PLURALITY OF FLUID OUTLETS, A MOVABLE FRAME FITTING WITHIN SAID RECESSED PORTION, AND A PLURALITY OF SPACED MESSAGE ROLLERS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AT A LEVEL HIGHER THAN SAID OUTLETS. 